Obedience, Works, and Salvation

Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

The Importance of Obedience

Obedience to God/Christ is taught all throughout the New Testament. And the following references are not even an exhaustive list of verses which teach the importance of obedience to our Lord, and to his New Covenant commands, with regard to salvation from sin and eternal life with God.

[Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 3:36; Acts 5:29,32; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:12,16; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Galatians 5:7; Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; Hebrews 5:8-9; Hebrews 11:8; John 8:51,55; John 14:15,21,23; John 15:10; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 3:21-24; 1 John 5:2-3; Revelation 1:3; Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 22:7]

For Jesus said that it is the one who is doing the will of God who will enter the kingdom of heaven. And John said that whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life. And Peter said that we must obey God rather than men. And he said that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey the Lord. And Paul taught that for those who are self-seeking and who do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Paul also taught that we are not obey sinful passions, and if sin is what we obey, that it will lead to death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, that will lead to righteousness and to sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God. And he taught that we are to take every thought captive to obey Christ. And he taught that the Lord Jesus, when he returns, will inflict vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And we read in Hebrews that Jesus became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. And John said that we know we love the children of God when we love God and we obey his commandments. And Jesus said that if anyone keeps his word that he will never see death. And he said that if we love him that we will keep his commandments. And he said that if we keep his commandments that we will abide in his love, just as he kept God the Father’s commandments and he abode in his love.

And then John said the way in which we know that we have come to know God/Christ is if we keep his commandments. So, if we claim that we know God, but we do not keep his commandments (New Covenant), then we are liars. And he said that whoever keeps God’s commandments abides in God, and God in him. For this is the love of God, he said, that we keep His commandments. And we are blessed of God who keep his commandments, but we will also be those who are opposed of Satan.

Working Out our Salvation

So many people today are teaching that no works at all are involved in our salvation and with regard to eternal life with God. But while it is true that we are not saved by the works of the flesh, even if they are good works which we decide we will do for God, it is not true that works have no part in our salvation and our eternal life with God. For Paul wrote that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them (see Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14).

And Paul taught that God will render to each one according to his works, and that “for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” And he taught that we are always to be abounding in the work of the Lord, and that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. So we are to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.

And the grace of God, which is bringing us salvation, trains us to renounce (say “No” to) ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s soon return. For Jesus Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Therefore, we who have believed in Jesus are to be careful to devote ourselves to good works (the works God prepared for us to do).

[Eph 2:10; 1 Co 15:58; 2 Co 9:8; Gal 5:6; Php 2:12-13; Col 1:9-14; 2 Thess 1:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:21; Tit 2:11-14; Jn 15:1-11; Tit 3:8; Jas 2:17]

So, we don’t work to earn or to deserve our own salvation. Our salvation, and even the faith to believe in Jesus, are gifted to us by God, and are persuaded of God, and come from God, and they are not of our own doing. But belief in Jesus is not a mere acknowledgment of him, but it involves being crucified and buried with him in death to sin and being raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. And by faith in Jesus we leave our sins behind us to now follow him in obedience to his ways.

For if we continue living in deliberate and habitual sin, and if sin is what we practice, and if righteousness and holiness and walks of obedience to our Lord are not what we practice, then the Scriptures teach that we will not inherit eternal life with God. But this isn’t us working to earn our salvation, but this is us walking in the salvation already provided for us, according to the teachings of the Scriptures, and according to the will of God, by the grace of God, and in the power of God, and not in our own strength.

[Lu 9:23-26; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; 1 Co 6:9-10; 2 Co 5:10; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-11; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 10:26-31; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Jn 15:1-11; Matt 7:21-23; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Lamb of God

By Twila Paris / Michael Paul Bethany / Kevin Turner

… Your only Son no sin to hide

But You have sent Him from Your side

To walk upon this guilty sod

And to become the Lamb of God

… Your gift of love they crucified

They laughed and scorned Him as he died

The humble King they named a fraud

And sacrificed the Lamb of God

… Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God

I love the Holy Lamb of God

Oh wash me in His precious Blood

My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nFtvbrjvjY

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